Married by Law

Chapter Nineteen: Birthdays and Babies

"Happy Happy birthday! Today's your special day! Uhm...say Hey Hey?" sang Draco. Hermione wearily opened her eyes, revealing her smiling husband. Hermione closed her eyes, then reopened them. He was still smiling overher.

"You're too bloody happy." growled Hermione, hoisting herself up. When she looked at the clock her eyes bulged. "You let me sleep until noon!"

Draco, still smiling like a fool, shrugged. "You were up half the night. Aaaaand it's you birthday! Happy twentieth sweetheart!"

"I'm old." grumped Hermione, crossing her arms over her belly. Little Audrey kicked, making Hermione groan. "And irritable."

"Well I love you wifey, even when your 'old' and 'irritable'."

"You really shouldn't use air quotes." sighed Hermione, getting off the bed. She waddled all the way over to her dresser and picked out an outfit. Using magic, she pulled it on. Quite a task. Finally she was ready.

"Mia? Come on, the Potters request our presence." called Draco. She followed him down to their living room, which housed their fireplace. Grabbing a handful of Floo Powder, she was wizzed into the Potters living room.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" screeched several people at once. Hermione jumped, and fell straight into Draco who had just flooed in.

"Mia!" gasped Draco, catching his pregnant wife. Harry rushed over to her, and kissed her cheek.

"Happy birthday sis!" grinned Harry. Hermione blushed, and kissed his cheek. When she scanned the room she saw lots of people, friends and family. But what made her giggle was Draco. He had plucked Jonathan out of the playpen that housed all the babies. James, Victorie, Fred II, and Jonathan. Hermione smiled at how attached Draco was.

About a hundred or so people walked over to Hermione, wishing her the best with both her pregnancy and her birthday. When it was Ron and Lavender's turn, they gave her a belated shower gift. She opened it and giggled. Inside was a photo of the golden trio, baby clothes, and diapers.

"Goodness, my Mione's twenty!" gasped Tom Granger, giving his daughter a tight hug. Her eyes lit up at her father. Jean kissed her cheek. They moved onto talk to Draco and Harry.

"Happy birthday Hermione." said a soft, yet spoken voice. Hermione looked up and saw Lucius Malfoy staring at her. He was imposing as always, but it was different. Now he seemed less...angry? More, accepting. Hermione put on a huge smile.

"Thank you Mr. Malfoy." replied Hermione cordially. Lucius shook his head.

"Call me Lucius please." Hermione smiled, this time for real. Narcissa popped up behind her husband.

"Happy Birthday dear!" chirped Narcissa, placing a kiss on Hermione's cheek. Hermione glowed. She walked away from the well wishers, and took a seat beside Ginny. She was breast feeding James under a blanket.

"I'm trying to get him to stop. Jonathan needs it a little longer though. God my nipples are like a dogs chew toy!" groaned Ginny. She pulled James out and burped him.

"That's what I'm not looking forward too. Breastfeeding. Hey Gin, can I ask you something?" asked Hermione quietly. Ginny nodded.

"Shoot."

"How bad does it hurt? Labor?" asked Hermione, fiddling with her hands. Ginny barked out a laugh.

"Not gonna sugar coat it, theres not point. It's a bitch. That's for bloody sure. But it's not a pain per se, more like insanely intense pressure. Think of your worst cramps, magnified by a thousand. But afterward...seeing your baby...it's all better. The pain is over." whispered Ginny, looking lovingly into James eyes.

"Thanks hon." replied Hermione. She sat there for a moment, before groaning.

"What? What's wrong?" inquired Ginny. Hermione shook her head.

"Back pains. They've been happening all day." replied Hermione. Ginny's mouth widened.

"Mione, you might be going into labor!"

"No, no!" gasped Hermione. She held onto her stomach. "Gah, it's like..tight."

"Mione, we have to get you to a hospital!" gasped Ginny. She stood up and shouted: "HERMIONE'S IN LABOR!"

As if you hit fast forward, people began to sprint around her. Draco was at her side in an instant. He was shouting things at Harry. Things blurred around Hermione. She went dutifully with everyone. They ushered her into a Muggle taxi. It was a fifteen minute ride to the hospital. Ginny and Harry jogged in behind them, having left the twins with Molly and Arthur. Hermione cried out in pain. Using a bit of magic, Harry conjured a wheel chair. Hermione sunk into it.

"Well Mrs. Malfoy, it appears you just experienced Braxton Hicks." revealed the Doctor. Draco and Hermione groaned.

"Well that's a relief." giggled Ginny. "Come on, let's get back to the party."

Hermione shot her friend a glare. "Gin, shut up."

"Sorry. I'll send them notice that they were false." laughed Harry, leading his overzealous wife out of the room. The doctor gave them a moment.

"Hermione, it appears that labor can be any day from this point on. Do be careful, please?"

"I will Doctor. Thank you." sighed Hermione. He left the couple alone.

"Merlin, I sure as hell wasn't ready." mumbled Draco. Hermione scoffed.

"Well get ready. She's coming soon. We haven't time for 'not ready'." replied Hermione shortly. Draco merely kissed her cheek.